My Story

Saturday, August 28, 2010

For quite some time I had been wanting some kind of water feature in our home. The sound of trickling water is soothing to me...but I was never happy with the ones available in the stores. Most of them were plasticky and kinda cheesy. The ones I was happy with were in the expensive home and garden catalogs and stores and completely out of my price range! As I was visiting the Salvation Army thrift store last week, I happened upon a fountain that I thought had some potential. It was just a simple square shallow pot with graduated glass slabs...what really got me was the fantastic price of just 4.00.
I took the guts out of the fountain and put them in a huge ironstone bowl from my ever growing collection of ironstone, and placed that on a large ironstone platter...and I got this:

Though I am not in love with the black cord trailing from the bowl (I guess I could have painted it white?), still not too shabby for four bucks...and I didn't even expect the light to work! So many variations for this. If you see a cheap fountain that may not be aesthetically pleasing, you can paint the outside of it, or even the inside if you use that spray paint used especially for plastic. Or you could just take out the pump and you can make a fountain out of a pile of those clear stones you can get by the bag full at Walmart or Michael's. Just pile them up around the pump in a container and add water...and maybe even some floating candles? You could use cups and saucers glued together with marine glue (glue for boats) or clear caulk. The hardware store always has clear hose available by the foot so you can go as high as you'd like. You could use a stack of terracotta pots and thread the hose through the holes in the bottoms to the top of the stack....or use the good 'ole standby; rocks. You can get pretty, smooth stones at any craft store....or how about tumbled glass? Or slate? Oh my, the possibilities!

Friday, August 27, 2010

I was honored for my steel moon earrings to be included in this amazing treasury by Voladoradesign....

You can get to the clickable one Here.
Forgive my absence. I've been struggling with some issues with the arthritis in my spine. But I'll be back very soon with some fun and easy projects, a spotlight on my favorite jewelry designer, AND a some very special give aways.
xoxo
Jennifer

Friday, August 20, 2010

The handwriting is from a long and skinny antique ledger kept by a woman for a church describing the daily events...I love the handwriting so much... she gently writes of gatherings and food, baptisms and visits and tithes and such. Old ledgers are one of my most favorite paper things.

The next picture is from an old text book about Japan. I've always wanted to travel there. My Great Grandfather spent some time in Okanawa after the war and his whole house was infused with the orient. My most favorite thing was his collection of chopstick rests. Though I am a Christian, my thoughts are also infused with the teachings of Buddha...I even have several Buddha statues in my home. The serene expressions on their faces, a constant reminder of peace.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

We like a nice fireplace at our house. If we had one, that is...don't know why we didn't think of this so much sooner. My husband and I found an old gas "fireplace" for 20 bucks at our favorite antique place. I knew in an instant what I wanted to do when he pointed it out, and it was this:

Then at night, it looks like this:

I will most likely add a lot more candles as soon as I get to the store to buy some of those clear votive holders....but I thought this was pretty darn nifty. I also like the idea of filling it with old bottles of singular flowers. You could even fill it with mason jars of fresh flowers, or it can be decorated with greens for the holidays...or even some old glass balls and white Christmas lights bunched up inside of it. Lots of different things to make it your own.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The comments that I received from my last post have at times, left me in awe. Speechless...and those that know me personally know that isn't an easy task. I've always been a talker....and I was always the "loud kid". The "talker".
I just want you to know that you're on my mind every day. Yes, you...those of you reading this now....and those of you who left such kind and heartfelt comments about my last post.
Thank you for taking precious time to read my simple blog. To hear what I have to say. To witness my ramblings and creations and musings and not be scared off by my mention of talking to God. ( And I really do have a big black, no; two big black heavy and working rotary phones in the house!)
I always hesitate about mentioning God like I did in my last post or in my articles, in fear that I will be labeled a "Bible Thumper" or a "Holy Roller" among other things, but the truth is that I am a believer. I have had my doubts and my struggles but I always come back to the mystery of faith.
I have a quote from Proverbs over my table that brings me the greatest peace during times I question my belief and question my life and question my God and it is this:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him
and he shall direct thy paths."

The line that really stands out to me is -and lean not unto thine own understanding.

There are some days when this is all I have to hold on to. That everything happens for a reason. That it will all come together and make sense to us eventually. That it is ok to not have all of the answers....That professing my faith is never going to be a "bad move."

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today I am listening to the Patty Griffin station on Pandora and enjoying the rest of the day from behind the big picture window glass because it is so damn hot this afternoon. You know summer isn't my favorite season. The house is still today. Well, at least for a little while, so we can talk. The cats are all napping. Jeremy is watching Wubbzy. And Pandora is singing through the speakers to me to just breathe. Just breathe....

This morning, you gave me a sign. At least i think it was a sign. Could you confirm that?
I wandered outside with thoughts of mylifethusfar. How long will I live now that I have this so called rare disease....I....I mean this gift? This thing that has opened my eyes so wide to the wonder of it all and at the same time fills them with tears? Is what I am doing relevant to the world? Is it worthwhile? Does anyone really care about these pictures of sunflowers for the new blogpost or the new earrings I made last night? Am I on the right path? Sometimes the voices in my head get really really loud about how stupid all of this is. How no one reallycaresaboutjewelry. How no one really readsyourstupidbloganyway. How it's too late for me. I shouldhavestartedthissooner.
And so I ask you, God, what is true? What is real?
Sometimes the tears stream down my face at night (Of course when everyone is asleep you know, so I don't upset anyone) in a mix of deepest gratitude and Amen and why me and mixes of grief and joy; I get confused God. I get confused. What is my purpose here?
Anyway, back to the sign. I think this was it.....I think it was.

Am I right? Were you trying to tell me that I am only just beginning? That my wings haven't even fully opened yet? That I am beautiful? That life is all about experiences and we can only ever be what we leave behind in the hearts and minds of others? That I'm going to be alright?
Thank you. I really needed that, God. I really did. Yes, I think I'm going to be ok. Thanks for answering the phone. Sometimes I wonder if this old rotary phone still works but I love it so......

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Yesterday, my son Christian brought this home for me. He remembered I had been searching with hope that another vintage record player would come along to replace the one that came here to Michigan with us in the little U-haul so many years ago...and here it is. Complete with a beautiful glowing light on the off and on knob. And finally, Lena Horne can be set free to waft and roam the rooms downstairs as I cook and as I create and as my little one plays quietly...all of us soothed by the crackling and popping sounds of yesterday. And later, it will be Willie and Barbara and James and Simon and Garfunkle, Crystal and Linda and Rod....I've yet to find her but I am hoping, so hoping someday Billie will come to stay with us too. My beloved, my favorite songstress of all, Miss Billie Holiday....

Friday, August 06, 2010

I flip the pages and arrive at my article in the current issue of Artful Blogging. It is a surreal experience. I am somewhat stunned I guess. How did I get here? My heart printed on pages for the world to see. In the article I speak of blogging and how it has helped heal my heart after my father's death....and there is still a lot of healing to do...
Another wonderful part of this amazing gratitude package is that my sister, Kelly Rae is in this issue as well. That makes it so much more special.

The photos taken with my little 'ole Sony runofthemill digital camera, are there on the pages. I shake my head in disbelief. Did I really take those pictures? Humbled. I am truly humbled.

Yesterday I was reading my daughter this post. I wrote about why I use Queen Anne's Lace as my "icon" or "brand". She said that I should be a writer. And I said, I am a writer. I am.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

They seem to appear from the canvas,
with searching eyes, somehow manifesting from the drips and smears;
a soul of their own doing.
Brought to life through his hands,
these waywards finally at rest.
A life story made real
yet transient and fleeting
as the fog rolling by
the car windows on a sultry nighttime ride.
Luminous
soft
fluid
and
smoldering
from the palette of his dreaming.

(Untitled acrylic on canvas)

("Speed" acrylic on canvas)

("Transgressions" acrylic on canvas)

(Jeremy, crayon and acrylic on canvas)

("Apparition"acrylic on panel)

( These are an example of work by my husband, Ken Morford. His online Etsy shop is still under construction,but inquiries about purchasing paintings are welcome. His blog contains a little more about his work. Clickhere.
Ken is also a poet. You may find his beautiful poetry here.
I am a lucky girl. Surrounded here at home by his talent, and graced with his words.

About Me

I design and create jewelry and functional assemblage art pieces for a living. I love my job! I currently sell my work on Etsy.com under the name of Sacred Cake. I've been featured in several amazing magazine publications like Somerset Life, Belle Armoire Jewelry, Jewelry Affaire and Artful Blogging. I'm also featured in a bestselling book by my sister, Kelly Rae Roberts, called "Taking Flight". I am honored to share my words and my work in such a wonderful publication. I am now on the journey of writing a book of my very own!I consider myself a sort of philanthropist on a "shoestring budget"...and I am very prone to daily random acts of kindness, singing in the grocery store, and most importantly, making people laugh.